Film viewer and reproducer



Oct. 3, 1961 H. e. REUTER, JR

FILM VIEWER AND REPRODUCER Original Filed June 19, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 F INVENTOR. HENRY u. REUTERJR. BY y 10 g Oct. 3, 1961 H. G. REUTER, JR 3,002,434

FILM VIEWER AND REPRODUCER Original Filed June 19, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I I I I 1k 5 L I I; I

I I w I I I 0 g I c I g I I 3? I I w I R I I I i a I g I 0 I k I E; i Q 5 1 "I J 1 N m. w

7 I INVENTOR. I I E I HENRY EREUIERJR g L I I BY I m 4 mam/n Oct. 3, 1961 H. G. REUTER, JR 3,002,434

FILM VIEWER AND REPRODUCER Original Filed June 19, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent 9 Claims. (Cl. 9s-1.1

This invention relates to film viewers and reproducers generally, and more particularly to apparatus for viewing microfilm and for making an enlarged print of the microfilm by an electrophotographic process. This application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 743,145 filed June 19, 1958.

It is an'object of thepresent invention to provide improved apparatus for viewing enlarged images of microfilm and for reproducing these enlarged images by means of a direct electrophotographic process in a relatively short time. i 3

Another object of the present invention is to provide improved apparatus for developing an electrostatic latent image on a sheet of photoconductive material in a manner whereby the sheet is caused to move along a predetermined path, and wherein the different steps in the electrophotographic process are initiated by switches in response to the movementof the sheet.

A further object of the present invention is to provide novel developing apparatus which can be changed from an inoperative condition to an operative condition as, for example, upon the approach of a sheet to be developed to a developing zone.

In accordance with the present invention, the foregoing objects and related advantages are attained in improved apparatus comprising an operatorsectioma viewer section, and a base section. The operator section houses the optical elements, the film-holding apparatus and the operator controls for normal operation. The viewer section houses the viewing screenand the mirrors required for the projection of the enlarged image of the film. The base section houses the transport mechanism for the sheet to be developed and the apparatus for the electrophotographic process. v

One feature of the present invention is the novel apparatus for applying a toner, developer powder, to the latent charge image on a sheet by means of a magnetic .field. The magnetic field is utilized in a manner whereby the toner is attracted to the sheet only during the time the paper passes over a tray containing the toner intermixed with magnetic particles.

Another feature of the invention is the novel arrange ment of apparatus whereby the steps in the electrophotographic process are carried out in response to switches that are actuated by the movement of a sheet of photoconductive material along a predetermined path.

The novel features of the present invention, aswell as the invention itself, both asto its organizationand opera- FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the developing mechanism takenvalong the plane 4-4 of FIG. 2, and viewed in a direction indicated by the arrows; and

FIGJS is a schematic diagram of the electrical system of the viewer and reproducer apparatus.

Referring now to FIG. 1 there is shown the film viewer and reproducer apparatus 10 comprising an operator section 12, a viewer section 14, and a base section 16. The operator section comprises a focusing knob 18 for adjusting a lens system 20, illustrated herein as a single lens. A film 21 to be viewed may be inserted between film guides 22in the direct path of 'a beam of light from a lamp 24 and through an optical condenser 26.

The operator section 12 also comprises a control panel 28 as a part of the general housing 30 of the apparatus 10. The housing 30 is provided with a slot 32 adjacent to the film guides 22 for inserting the film 21 therethrough for viewing purposes.

An enlarged image of the film 21 may be viewed on a frosted glass screen 34 by first projecting the image onto a fixed mirror 36, and then reflecting the image from the mirror 36 onto the screen 34. A movable mirror 38 is in a raised position indicated by the dashed lines 38a when the film 21 is being viewed. A cam 42, near the pivotedend of the mirror 38 actuates a limit switch 44 when the mirror 38 is in a down" position, and actuates a limit switch 46 when it is in an up position.

The movable mirror 38 is actuated by a motor 48a in,

response to a viewing switch 50 (FIG. 5) to raise the mirror 38, and by a motor 48b in response to a print switch 52 (FIG. 5) to lower the mirror 38, as shown in. FIG. 5.

A shade 56, actuated by a motor 58a, is raised in response to the closing of the viewing switch 50. The upper position of the shade 56 is determined by'an upper limit switch 60. The shade 56 is lowered by a motor 58b to a position determined by a lower limit switch 62 when the print switch 52 (FIG. 5) is actuated. It will now be understood that to print the image viewed on screen 34 the print switch 52 is actuated so as to lower the mirror 38 and to .shut out any light that may come throughthe screen 34.

With the movable mirror 38 in its down position, as shown in FIG. 1, the image of the film 21 to be printed may be projected onto the fixed mirror 36, reflected therefrom to the mirror 38, and further reflected onto an endless belt 64 which will hold a sheet having a latent charge image thereon, as will be hereinafter explained. The movable mirror 38 is so positioned that when the film 21 is in focuson the screen 34, with the movable mirror 38 in the up position, the image projected onto the belt 64 will be in focus with the movable mirror 38 in the down tion, will be understood in detail when considered in COII'? nection with the accompanying drawings in which similar reference characters represent similar parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 is aside elevational view of the film viewer and reproducer, in accordance with the present invention; with parts broken away to show some of the internal mechanisms of the apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane 2-2 in FIG. 1, and viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows showing a portion of the developing mecha- FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view, in side elevation, of an alternative solenoid mechanism for actuating a magnetic field producing mechanism; A

* sheet 68 will now be between thebeltfl an s belt 99.

position. -With this arrangement it is possible to focus the image of the film 21 ontothe screen 34 for viewing with visible light, and to focus the image projected on the belt 64 with an. ultraviolet component of the lamp 24 so that printing may take place with the ultraviolet component, if so desired. 7

A sheet 68 on which to reproduce the enlarged image of the film 21 may be cut from a roll 6601: special sheet material, such as paper having a photoconductive layer thereon. The sheet 68 is passed between input guide members 70 and between feed rollers 72 and 74. The roller 74 is driven by a motor 76 through a suitable clutch 78, as shown in FIG. 1. The clutch 78 is actuated by a solenoid 80. The sheet 68 passes through a shear mechanism 84that may beactuated by a solenoid 86. The sheet 68 then is passed between a pair of oppositely disposed charging devices 88 for charging the sheet 68 with a uniform electrostaticcharge by a corona discharge, in a manner well known in the art. .The path of the Patented Oct. 3,- 1961 I 3 The belt 90 is looped around pulleys 92, 94, and 96 in a manner whereby the lower portion of the belt 92 is in contact with the belt 64.

The pulley 96 may be geared (not shown), or otherwise mechanically coupled, to a pulley 98 which, in turn, is driven by the motor 76. The belt 64 rides on an exposure platen 100 that is very slightly convex in shape so as to force the upper portion of the belt 64 against the lower portion of the belt 90 and to clamp the sheet 68 therebetween. The belt 64 is supported by pulleys 102, 104, and 106, in addition to the pulley 98.

A lower, slightly convex, platen 108 is disposed between the pulleys 102 and 104 in a manner to put pressure against the belt 64 and a belt 110. The belt 110 is supported by four pulleys 112, 114, 116, and 118 in a manner whereby the upper portion of the belt 110 is pressed against the lower portion of the belt 64. It will now be understood that a sheet 68 can be made to move in a predetermined path between the belt 64 and the belt 98, through rear guides 120 and 122, and between the belt 64 and the belt 110. The sheet 68 may be ejected onto an exit plate 124, as indicated'by the arrows 126 after it has been developed in a manner hereinafter to be explained.

It will be understood that the belt 64 may be as wide as the sheet 68. The belt 64 may actually comprise a series of narrow belts in a side by side arrangement. On the other hand, the belts 90 and 110 are relatively narrow and function to grip the sheet 68 along its edge. Another set of belts (not shown) similar to the belts 90 and 110 are disposed along the opposite edge of the sheet 68 to transport it along its predetermined path.

The uniformly charged sheet 68 will go through all ,of the steps in the electrophotographic process during its travel along its predetermined path. When the leading edge of the sheet 68 hits the limit switch 82 the clutch 78 will be disengaged and the solenoid 86 will be actuated so that the shear 84 will cut a single sheet 68 of paper from the roll 66. The sheet 68 will advance until its leading edge hits a switch 128. This switch 128 will stop the motor 76, engaged to the pulley 98, so that the sheet 68 will become stationary. The switch 128 will also start a timer 129 (FIG. that has been previously preset, as by a timer control knob 130 on the control panel 28, in a manner hereinafter to be explained. After the timer 129 has exposed the sheet 68 for a preset time, themotor 76 is started again, and the sheet 68 moves over a developer tray 132. The developer tray 132 contains a mixture 134 of finely divided iron filings and a pigmented developer power, hereinafter called toner.

A toothed roller 136 within the tray 132 is pivoted for rotation by a motor 138, as shown in FIG. 2. It will now be understood that if the roller 136 is rotated it will pick up the mixture 134 between its teeth and move this mixture adjacent to the sheet 68, when the latter is between the belts 64 and 110. A pair of conveyor type screws 140 and 142, as shown in FIG. 4, are coupled to the roller 136 in a manner whereby the screws rotate in opposite directions within the mixture 134 for the purpose of spreading the mixture 134 evenly. This action also tends to keep the ratio of toner to iron filings uniform.

Means are provided to pull the mixture 134 up against the exposed surface of the sheet 68 whereby the pigmented developer powder of the mixture 134 will adhere to the exposed surface for printing an image thereon. To this end, magnetic field means are provided. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the magnetic field means may comprise a plurality of permanent magnets 144 similarly oriented within a rectangular frame 146 that is pivoted for rotation around its longitudinal axis by means of pivots 148. The frame 146 includes a lower bar 147 of magnetic material to form a pole piece for the magnets 14.4. A rotary solenoid 150 may be actuated by switches 152 and 154, connected in series with each other, to rotate the nor inally horizontally disposed magnets to a vertical position, in response to the actuation of the switches 152 and 154 by the leading edge of the moving sheet 68. This action brings a magnetic field close to the unexposed side of the sheet 68 so that the mixture 134 can be attracted onto the sheet 68 to print the latent image. It will be appreciated that when the trailing edge of the sheet 68 has passed the switch 152 it is no longer necessary to attract the mixture 134 upwardly. Consequently, when the trailing edge of the sheet 68 moves away from the switch 152, the rotary solenoid 158 is de-energized and the magnets 144- will rotate about the longitudinal axis of the frame 146, from the vertical position to a hori Zontal position, thereby removing the magnetic field from the proximity of the tray 132 and the mixture 134.

When the leading edge of the sheet 68 actuated the switch 154, it also turned on a heater 156 (FIG. 5) of a heater and blower mechanism 157 for fusing the toner onto the sheet 68. After the trailing edge of the sheet 68 has left the switch 154 and a subsequent microswitch 158, the heater 156 is turned off. The finished electrophotographically developed sheet 68 is then discharged onto the exit plate 124.

Referring again to FIG. 1 there is shown a shutter 160 that is normally open for viewing purposes. The shutter 160 may be closed by actuating a shutter solenoid 162 when the print switch 52 (FIG. 5) is closed. Also, as shown in FIG. 5, the switch 128, when actuated, causes the shutter 168 to open by means of a timer solenoid 164 until the timer 129 is automatically turned off.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown the electrical system of the viewer and reproducer apparatus 10. The apparatus 10' may be operated from a power source of conventional alternating current (A.-C.) voltage, such as 115 volts A.-C., as available from terminals 170- and 172. The terminal 172 may be grounded. The exposure lamp 24 and a blower motor 174 are connected across the power source through a power on-ofi switch 176. A normally closed emergency stop switch 178 may be inserted in the ungrounded side of the power source. The shade motor 58a and the mirror motor 48a are connected across the power source through the viewing switch 50. The shade motor 58b and mirror motor 48b are connected across the power source through the print switch 52. The upper limit switches 60 and 46 are connected in series with the motors 58a and 48a, respectively; and the lower limit switches 62 and 42 are connected in series with the motors 58b and 48b, respectively. The lower limit switch 62 also serves to connect the power source to the timer 129 when the switch 62 is actuated. The shutter solenoid 162 is also connected across the power source through the print switch 52 and a normally closed switch 180. The switch 180 is mechanically linked to the timer solenoid 164 in a manner whereby it is opened when the timer solenoid 164 is energized. The clutch solenoid 80 and the shear solenoid 86 are connected to the power source through the serially connected switches 82 and 62. A high voltage power supply 181 for the electrostatic charging devices 88 and the motors 76 and 138 are connected to the power source through the switches 62 and 128.

The timer solenoid 164 is connected in series with the timer 129 and the switches 128 and 62. The timer 129 may be preset for any given exposure time. After the preset time has expired, the timer 129 will actuate a normally open switch 182 to energize the motors 76 and 138.

The rotary solenoid 150 is connected in series with the switches 154, 152, and the switch 62. The heater 156, in-the heater-blower mechanism 157, is connected in series with switches 158 and 62. The switch 154 is connected in parallel with the switch 158. It will be understood that the switches 82, 128, 152, 154, and 158 are switches of the type thathave an actuating portion projecting in the predetermined path of the moving sheet 68 so, that they may be actuated by the moving sheet 68.

The operation of the viewer and reproducer apparatus 10, in accordance with the present invention, will now be explained; The lamp 24 and the blower motor 174 are energized by closing the on-ofi switch 176. To view the film 21, the viewing switch 50 is closed. The shade 56 is now raised by the motor 58 until the limit switch 60 is actuated. At the same time the movable mirror 38 is raised by the motor 48a until the cam 42 opens the limit switch 46. The film .21 may now be viewed on the frosted screen 34 and focused thereon.

To make an electrophotographic print of the image viewed on the screen 34, the print switch 52 is closed. This action causes the motor 58b to lower the shade 56 until the lower limit switch 62 is actuated. The switch 62 will disconnect the motor 58b from the power source and supply electrical energy to the motors 76 and 138. The charging devices 88 will also beenergized from the high voltage power supply 181. The sheet 68 will now be pulledthrough the charging devices 88 so that the photoconductive layer on the sheet 68 is uniformly electrostatically charged.

The sheet 68 will be pulled between the belts 64 and 90 until the leading edge of the moving sheet68 actuates the switch 82. The clutch solenoid 80 will now be actuated so that the feed rollers 74 will cease to pull additional sheet material. The shear solenoid 86 will also be actuated by the switch 82, and the sheet 68 will be cut and separated from'the roll 66. The sheet 68 will advance until its leading edge actuates the switch 128. The motors 76 and 138 will now be disconnected and the timer 129, preset to a predetermined exposure time, will now be actuated. Such actuation causes the timer solenoid 164 to open the normally closed switch 180 and permits the shutter 160 to open. Light from the lamp 24 will now expose the sheet 68 for a predetermined time in order to produce a latent charge image of the film 21 on the photoconductive surface of the sheet 68. After the preset time of exposure, the timer 129 will cause the normally open switch 182 to close, the timer solenoid 164 will become de-energized, the normally closed switch 180 will now close and the shutter solenoid 162 will cause the shutter 160 to close. i

The motors 76 and 138 will be energized again, through the switch 182, and the sheet 68 will proceed along its predetermined path through the rear guides 120 and 122, and thence between the belts 64 and 110. When the leading edge of the sheet 68 actuates both of the switches 152 and 154, the normally horizontally disposed magnets 144 will be rotated 90 to a vertical position by means of the rotary solenoid 150. This will cause the mixture 134 of magnetic carrier and toner to be attracted to the charged surface of the sheet 68. It is also noted that the closing of the switch :154 will cause the heater coil 156, within the heater-blower mechanism 157, to heat up. Thus, when the trailing edge of the sheet 68 leavesthe switch 152 the rotary solenoid 150 is de-energized, the magnets 144 will again assume a horizontally disposed position.

When the sheet 68 passes over the heater 156, the toner that has adhered to the latent charged image is fused to the sheet 68. When the trailing edge of the sheet 68 leaves the switch 158, the heater 156 is shut off and the sheet 68 is discharged onto the exit plate 124 as a finished electrophotographic reproduction.

Referring to FIG. 3, there are shown alternative means to the rotary solenoid 150 for rotating the magnets 144 through an angle of 90. A solenoid 1500 is connected to one end of a lever arm 184. The other end of the lever arm 184 is fixed to one of the pivots 148. It will now be understood that actuating the solenoid 150a will cause the rectangular frame 146, containing the magnets 144, to be rotated through an angle of 90, from a normally horizontal position to a vertical position.

, 6 What is claimed is: p 1. Apparatus for reproducing an image ona photosensitive sheet comprising means for advancing said sheet along a predetermined path, means for projecting a radiant image onto said sheet at a first station along said path, means adjacent said first station actuated by movement of said sheet to stop said sheet at said first station for a time to expose said sheet and produce thereon a latent image, and developing means adjacent a second station along said path, said developing means including means actuated by movement of said sheet to cause said developer means to produce a visible'image from said latent image.

2. Apparatus forreproducing an image on a sheet of material having a photosensitive layer thereon comprising means to advance said sheet along a predetermined path, switching means adjacent a station along said path, means to project said image onto said sheet at said station, means including said switching means actuated by the movement of said sheet thereover to stop said sheet for a time to expose said sheet with said image whereby to produce a latent image .on said photosensitive layer, and developing means adjacent another station along said path, said developing means including switching means actuated by the movement of said sheet for developing said latent image thereon. p

3. Apparatus for reproducing an image ona sheet having a photosensitive layer thereon, said apparatus comprising means to feed said sheet along a predetermined path, means to project said image to a first station along said path, timing means, means actuated by the movement of said sheet to stop said sheet at said first station and to expose said sheet with said image for a predetermined time fixed by said timing means, developer means including a source of developer material at a sec-.

ond station at one side of and adjacent to said path; means actuated by the movement of said sheet past said developer means'to cause said developer means to contact said developer material to said photosensitive layer only when said sheet passes over said source, fixing means adjacent a third station along said path, and means actuated by the movement of said sheet to start operation of said fixing means by the time said sheet hasreached said third station, said last-mentioned means being connected to stop operation of said fixing means when said sheet has passed said third station.

4. Apparatus for reproducing an image on a sheet of material having a photosensitive layer thereon, means to advance said sheet along a predetermined path, first switching means adjacent a first station along said path, means to project said image onto said sheet at said first station, said first switching means being actuated by the movement of said sheet thereover to stop said sheet for a time to expose said sheet to said image whereby to produce a latent image on said sheet, developing means adjacent a second station along said path, said developing means including second switching means actuated by the movement of said sheet thereover for developing a latent image thereon, a fixing mechanism adjacent a third station along said path, and third switching means actuated by movement of said sheet thereover, said third switching means being connected to said fixing mechanism to opcrate said mechanism in response to said movement of said sheet over said third switching means.

5. Photographic apparatus comprising means for moving an elongated strip of photosensitive sheet material along a predetermined path, means actuated by the movement of said strip to cut from said strip a sheet having a predetermined size, means to continue movement of said sheet along said predetermined path, means to expose said sheet to a light image for a predetermined time to form a latent image on said sheet, developer means positioned adjacent said path, means actuated by the leading edge of said mow'ng sheet to initiate operation of said developer means to produce a visible image from said latent image on said sheet, said last-mentioned means being actuated by the trailing edge of said moving sheet to stop operation of said developer means, and means actuated by further movement of said sheet to fix said visible image.

6. Apparatus for reproducing an image on a sheet of material having a photoconductive layer thereon comprising means to advance said sheet along a predetermined path, means to charge said sheet electrostatically adjacent a first station along said path, a first switching means adjacent a second station along said path, means to project said image onto said sheet at said station, means including said first switching means actuated by the movement of said sheet thereover to stop said sheet for the time necessary to expose said sheet with said image whereby to produce a latent electrostatic image on said photoconductive layer, and developing means adjacent a third station along said path, said developing means including switching means actuated by the movement of said sheet for developing said latent image thereon.

7. Apparatus for reproducing an image on a sheet having a photoconductive layer thereon, said apparatus comprising means to feed said sheet along a predetermined path, means to project said image to a first station along said path, timing means, means actuated by the movement of said sheet to stop said sheet at said first station and to expose said sheet to said image for a predetermined time fixed 'by said timing means, a source for a mixture of toner and magnetic particles at a second station at one side of and adjacent to said path, magnetic field producing means on the other side of said path op' posite to said source, means actuated by the movement of said sheet between said source and said magnetic field producing means to increase said magnetic field adjacent to said sheet whereby to attract said mixture to said photoconductive layer only when said sheet passes over said mixture, heater means adjacent a third station along said path, and means actuated by the movement of said sheet to turn on said heater before said sheet has reached said third station, said last-mentioned means being actuated by the movement of said sheet to turn off said heater when said sheet has passed said third station.

8. Apparatus for reproducing an image on a sheet of material having a photoconductive layer thereon, means to advance said sheet along a predetermined path, means to charge said sheet electrostatically adjacent a first station along said path, a first switching means adjacent a second station along said path, means to project said image onto said sheet at said second station, said first switching means being actuated by the movement of said sheet thereover to stop said sheet for the time necessary to expose s-aid sheet to said image whereby to produce a latent electrostatic image on said photoconductive layer, developing means adjacent a third station along said path, said developing means including second switching means actuated by the movement of said sheet thereover to cause development of said latent image thereon, a heater-blower mechanism adjacent a fourth station along said path, and third switching means actuated by movement of said sheet thereover, said third switching means beingconnected to said heater-blower mechanism to operate said heater in response to said movement of said sheet over said third switching means.

9. Electrophotographic apparatus comprising means for moving an elongated strip of photoconductive sheet material along a predetermined path, means for charging said strip positioned adjacent said path and actuated by the movement of said strip, means actuated by the movement of said strip to cut from said strip a sheet having a predetermined size, means to continue movement of said sheet along said predetermined path, means to expose said sheet to a light image for a predetermined time to form an electrostatic image on said sheet, magnetic field producing means, a source for a mixture of toner and magnetic particles, said path lying between said magnetic field producing means and said source, means actuated by the leading edge of said moving sheet to cause said magnetic field to increase in intensity in the region between said source and said image on said sheet and attract said mixture into contact with said sheet, said last-mentioned means being actuated by the trailing edge of said moving sheet to cause said magnetic field to diminish in intensity thereby terminating said attraction, and means actuated by further movement of said sheet along said path to fuse toner from said mixture onto said electrostatic image on said sheet.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,970,381 Landrock Aug. 14, 1934 2,221,776 Carlson Nov. 19, 1940 2,892,446 Ogden June 30, 1959 

